Inside the cocoons, the pupae continue to go through metamorphosis. Their bodies change completely. All pupae grow legs and antennae. Their legs and antennae are folded up against their bodies. Wings grow on the bodies of the male and the queen pupae. Workers do not have to feed the pupae because pupae do not eat.

Ready to Break Out

After about eight weeks, the pupae have changed into adult ants. Their metamorphosis is complete. The adult ants are ready to break out of their cocoons. They use their mandibles to cut themselves out of the cocoons. Workers may also help the new adult ants cut through their cocoons. (From The Life Cycle of an Ant).

These titles form part of “The Life Cycle Series” from Crabtree Press, a series which includes 22 books on different species. Each book provides comprehensive information about the species it describes, interesting photographs and well-drawn illustrations to complement the text.

Each volume is 32 pages long and is designed in the same standard format as other Crabtree books. The two-page chapters have clearly understood titles that are listed in the Contents at the beginning of the book. A glossary on the last page defines words that appear in bold throughout the text. A basic index, below on the same page, guides readers looking for specific topics.

Student researchers or children just fascinated with nature will be well informed after reading any of these books. They will find that all their major questions will be answered, and an examination of the illustrations will contribute to their further understanding. The pleasant presentation invites children into the world of the animal. The main body of text is written in a large font but still contains a lot of useful information. The pictures and drawings are something to study on their own; captions add more facts:

Melting Ice

When the Arctic becomes warmer, pack ice melts earlier in the year. Polar bears have less time to hunt on the ice. This forces them to move onto land, where many polar bears cannot find enough food to eat. The pack ice melts earlier each year, causing more and more polar bears to starve.

Tiny drawings of the subject species line each page of the book. Drawings and photographs are framed in unique ways throughout. Soft pastel colours are deftly used in to background of some parts the text, complementing the bright white that is the main background.

Up-to-date information and the contemporary design ensure that these books will be popular with children. They would be useful either in a classroom or a school library.